[center][h2][color=thistle]Lady Grey Coulbourne[/color][/h2]

[img]http://i.imgur.com/xk6Gp0A.jpg?1[/img][/center]

Lady Grey Coulbourne had been sent to the capitol to represent House Coulbourne of Vaernin Forest at the Princess Madeline's coming of age festival. As she was a daughter and not a son, disgraced within the forest, and not even the first born child of the house, this had not been meant as a polite gesture. But at least she wasn't the only person being used by her family as an insult – instead of sending one of her brothers, her distant cousin, Nyle, was being submitted to the tourney for the princess' hand. The people of the forest had never thought much of the Ainsworths' so called 'divine right' to rule. They made it known at every opportunity.

But whatever her family thought of their's, Grey couldn't help but be awed at the sheer scope of the festival. It was a rare occasion that she left the forest boundary (there was a pang in her chest at that – she was being sent away from her home, her family, her [i]girls[/i]) and she took in each new sight with a breathless sort of wonder. How the sunlight shined on the city, unfiltered by a forest canopy. How cobblestone wrapped around buildings and covered the earth. The multitude of colors and smells and people crowding around, all reveling in the festivities.

It almost made it worth suffering through several hours of servants dressing her in a tight, heavy, restrictive forest green gown, and tugging and pulling at her hair until long, wild curls were forced into an intricate series of braids and knots at the nape of her neck.

[i]Nothing[/i] was worth the guard breathing down her neck, though.

Lord and Lady Coulbourne knew their daughter. The guard, a noble, middle aged man named Sir Jory had been a loyal servant of the family for years. He knew better than to take his eyes off Grey, lest she escape.

And so he ushered her through the gates, past the throngs of people, and to the designated Coulbourne area, bedecked in the blues and greens of her house. The weight of his stare forced her into a lavish seat overlooking to crowd, and he took his position by her side, ramrod straight and the picture of vigilance.

Grey was unimpressed. And restless. If she had to suffer through this, then she at least wanted to be given the chance to enjoy herself and explore. Maybe she'd even find her betrothed. She watched the laughing, happy, excited people milling about, going this way and that. She lasted a whole three minutes of silence.

[color=thistle]"Sir Jory,"[/color] she finally spoke up. The old knight didn't react, but she knew he was listening. [color=thistle]"I must relieve myself."[/color] She could practically feel his weariness. 

[b]"You had ample opportunity before the festivities, my lady, and you will have opportunity after."[/b]

[color=thistle]"Yes but I didn't have to go before, and I doubt I'll last until after."[/color] The old knight remained stil. [color=thistle]"You could escort me,"[/color] she offered, knowing how easy it would be to lose him in the crowd. He, of course, knew this too. He remained still. Grey screwed her mouth to the side in displeasure as she looked at him. Then she schooled her expression into one of wide-eyes sincerity. 

[color=thistle]"Sir Jory,"[/color] she said, her voice earnest, [color=thistle]"if I am not allowed to relieve myself,"[/color] she took a pause, waiting for his eyes to meet hers. [color=thistle]"I will explode."[/color] His eyes snapped forward immediately. Grey had to fight to keep her face straight as she watched color tint his cheeks. [color=thistle]"I'll make such a mess in this lovely festival, [i]all over[/i] my lovely dress and these lovely people. I imagine your armor will rust after and–"[/color]

[b]"As my lady wishes,"[/b] he finally conceded, cutting off her growing voice. Grey couldn't help the triumphant grin that broke across her face. With a sigh, the guard  waited until she stood from her seat and trotted forward towards the crowd. He followed close behind – but not close enough. 

The moment she was in the embrace of the buzzin crowd, she ducked and ran. Grey heard Sir Jory give a spluttered start behind her as he began trying to push people out of the way to follow. But Grey was smaller, younger, and far more agile, even in her heavy gown and pinching shoes. A delighted smile grew on her face as she weaved between festival gowers like they were clustered trees in the forest. She glanced over her shoulder to see if she'd lost her guard–

Only to run straight into something tall and [i]hard[/i]. Grey stumbled back with an [i]oof![/i] and looked up to see a tall, handsome man, fair skinned, dark hair, and with the most striking blue eyes. She was stunned for a moment from the impact before glancing over her shoulder again to see Sir Jory looking this way and that. The she grabbed the tall man's wrist and tugged him behind a wide, marble pillar. 

Grey pressed her back against it, a breathless laugh escaping her. She looked up at the man, smile full of mischief and excitement. 

[color=thistle]"Could you tell me when he leaves?"[/color] she murmured conspiratorially.